FY 2025 Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Planning Grant

The FY 2025 Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Planning Grant is a forecasted discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Office of Early Childhood Development under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This grant is part of the federal initiative to enhance the early care and education (ECE) landscape nationwide, particularly focusing on creating more accessible and higher-quality programs for young children from birth to age five. The PDG B-5 Planning Grant aims to help states and eligible territories conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and develop a strategic plan to improve their early childhood systems. The overarching goal is to build or strengthen a mixed delivery system that enhances parental choice and access, improves ECE program quality, and supports sharing best practices across providers. Emphasis is placed on collaboration and efficiency to serve the diverse needs of families more effectively. The anticipated total funding for this opportunity is $222 million, with individual award amounts ranging from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $10 million. Approximately 45 awards are expected to be issued. Funding will be granted to selected applicants for activities that lay the groundwork for systemic improvements, with a particular focus on equity, inclusion, and long-term sustainability. Eligible applicants include state governments and specific territories. Detailed eligibility criteria, including the list of qualifying territories, will be provided in the forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). However, applications from individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are expressly disqualified and will not be considered during the review process. Applicants must submit their proposals electronically by 11:59 PM EST on the due date, which is forecasted to be October 3, 2025. The anticipated post date for the NOFO is August 1, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by December 19, 2025, with project implementation beginning on December 31, 2025. This planning grant opportunity also requires cost sharing or matching, as noted in the eligibility and funding requirements. The grantor contact for this opportunity is Richard Gonzales, who can be reached by phone at 202-401-5138 or via email at Richard.Gonzales@acf.hhs.gov. Additional program updates and the finalized NOFO will be accessible through Grants.gov closer to the opening date.